Long Beach civil service panel elects new officers

Carolyn Smith Watts, the founder of a community-corporate-political consulting firm, will serve as president of the five-member board. Attorney Charles Hicks was appointed vice president.

The city charter empowers Civil Service commissioners to set policy and oversee the administration of the city's merit system and civil service rules and regulations, which govern all classified city positions. Commissioners also hear appeals of disciplined employees.

Commission members are selected by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council to four-year terms.

Meetings of the commission are held at 8 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month at City Hall, Seventh Floor, 333 W. Ocean Blvd. They are open to the public.